Sophinel Báez backs down on her accusations against Clarissa

Sophinel Báez retracted her accusations a few hours after Clarissa Molina announced that she initiated legal action against her.

Baez, the first runner-up in the 2015 Miss Dominican Republic, published a statement in her social media taking back her allegations that Molina won 2015 Miss Dominican Republic because there were irregularities in the pageant. Among the allegations, during an interview on journalist Juan Carlos Arbelo’s podcast, Báez claimed that Molina had held private meetings with a businessman, which, according to her, influenced the final result.

Also, Baez said that one of the judges, former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, told her that she was the true winner, but that she hadn’t been allowed to vote freely, a claim that Torres denied, stating that she has never been a judge for the Miss Dominican Republic beauty pageant.

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Sophinel Báez wrote in her statement the following:

Given the recent release of excerpts from an interview recorded approximately four years ago, I feel a responsibility to address you with sincerity and from the heart.

After that interview, I requested that the material not be published, as I understood that some parts of the interview could be interpreted in ways that did not reflect who I truly am or the context in which the conversation took place, which was approached differently than initially intended.

Despite this request, the content was recently released without my authorization, accompanied by a sensationalist and damaging headline and slant that I consider harmful to both parties involved, without considering the potential harm that could result from publishing edited excerpts of a much longer conversation.

Upon learning of the dissemination of this material, I immediately contacted Mr. Juan Carlos Albelo to request the removal of the video, reminding him that I had expressly asked him not to publish it. He subsequently apologized and proceeded to remove it.

At that time, I said things that, with the maturity and growth I have experienced, I would handle very differently now. I deeply regret that my words caused discomfort or pain. It was never my intention to affect or damage anyone’s honor or image.

I am in a different stage of my life, focused on my family, my personal growth, and acting with greater awareness and prudence. I reiterate my respect and apologies to the people involved and wish them the best. I am grateful to those who have given me the opportunity to explain and to those who have always known me for who I am.

With Love,

Sophinel Báez

Image Source: Sophinel Baez